Councilman was Army Pathfinder in WWII

8/24/2003

MONROEVILLE, Ohio - Alvin Adelman, a contractor who served on Monroeville's Board of Public Affairs and the village council for a total of 32 years, died of heart and kidney failure Thursday in his home here. He was 79.

Mr. Adelman served on the Board of Public Affairs, starting in 1967. In 1991, the village council took over the board's functions. He then served on council until 1999.

In 2001, the village named a reservoir in his honor for his years of service overseeing village affairs.

Mr. Adelman was born in Monroeville on July 30, 1924, to George and Bertha Adelman. He lived there most of his life. He graduated from Monroeville High School in 1942 and joined the Army the next year.

He became a paratrooper and served in France with the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team in F Company as a Pathfinder, parachuting early to scout the way for the other soldiers.

He received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster after being wounded in a leg and shoulder by shrapnel. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Bronze Star.

He was known for his ability to endure difficult situations and inspire other soldiers, his son David said.

“They knew if Dad could do it, they could do it, too,” he said.

After the war, Mr. Adelman worked for Ohio State Construction, based in Columbus, until 1963. Then he worked for E&K Construction in Port Clinton until 1978, when he started his own business, Dial Contractors.

Mr. Adelman and his sons did general contracting, constructing houses and working on many buildings at Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo. His company also built the rectory at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Monroeville in 1986.

He retired in 1996. Dial Contractors closed in 2001.

Mr Adelman taught religious education classes for many years, was a member of the Holy Name Society, and was a chairman of the parish festival from 1961 until he died.

He was involved in the Knights of Columbus St. John Newman Chapter No. 117 and American Legion Post 547.

He made model airplanes and collected antiques.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 55 years, Ruth; sons, Michael, Daniel, David, Raymond, and Robert; daughters, Amy Clark and Ann Beck; brother, Norbert; sisters, Arleen Austin, Jeanette Myer, and Evelyn Ruffing; 21 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

The body will be at the Jump & Pfeil Funeral Home, Monroeville, after 2 p.m. today, with a wake service at 4 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Monroeville.

The family suggests tributes to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church Building Fund.